ESPN Announces LSU-Wisconsin Football Game at Reliant Stadium in 2014

The LSU Tigers and the Wisconsin Badgers will open the 2014 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 30, in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. LSU was previously announced to play in the second installment of the kickoff-weekend game setting the stage for two quality opponents from the SEC and the Big Ten.

The kickoff will mark the third time the schools have played each other. The Tigers hold a 2-0 series lead following back-to-back victories in 1971 and ‘72.

This will be LSU’s fourth time in five seasons appearing in a nationally televised opening-weekend game (2010, ‘11, ’13, ‘14). LSU comes into the 2013 season ranked No. 12 in the preseason Associated Press poll after finishing 2012 with a 10-3 mark and a No. 8 finish in the final BCS Standings.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our program and a unique experience that our fans will enjoy,” said Joe Alleva, LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. “Houston is a great city with a huge LSU alumni base and Reliant Stadium is a magnificent facility. We are looking forward to bringing the LSU football team to Houston for the first time in over 30 years.”

Wisconsin enters this season ranked No. 23 in the preseason AP poll. The Badgers compiled an 8-6 record in 2012 and is coming off three-straight Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio appearances.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to open next season against one of the best programs in the country,” said Gary Andersen, Wisconsin head coach. “We want to compete at the highest level and on a national stage and this game is a great example of that.”

“We are thrilled to announce this great inter-sectional match-up between two high-profile, championship caliber programs,” said Pete Derzis, ESPN Sr. Vice President and General Manager of ESPN Regional Television.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to host two of America’s elite collegiate football programs at Reliant Stadium,” said Jamey Rootes, Houston Texans President. “This game is another example of our ongoing effort to position Houston and Reliant Stadium as a premier destination for college football.”

The game will mark the second year of a four-year agreement between Lone Star Sports & Entertainment and ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, to bring a top college football game to Reliant Stadium during the Labor Day weekend to start the college football season.

A special two-game package has been created featuring the exclusive opportunity to secure seats for both the 2013 and 2014 AdvoCare Texas Kickoff games at Reliant Stadium. The 2013 game will be played on Saturday, Aug. 31, matching up the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. This opportunity will be the only presale for the 2014 game featuring LSU and Wisconsin.

Two-game packages, which range in price from $75 to $325 per package, must be purchased together. Seat locations will be in the same price level and the ticket limit is 12 seats total per person. Fans who purchase ticket packages will receive priority for future events managed by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment.

This special package will be separate from the LSU and Wisconsin ticket allotments for their season ticket holders. Advance ticket packages can be purchased by calling 832-667-2390 or at ticketmaster.com.

ESPN Regional TelevisionESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, owns and operates collegiate sporting events worldwide, including two Labor Day Kickoff college football games; nine college bowl games and eight college basketball events. These account for approximately 200 hours of programming, reach almost 64 million viewers and attract nearly half a million attendees each year. The owned and operated events build relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as provide unique experiences for teams and fans. In addition to event ownership, ERT manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.

About Lone Star Sports & Entertainment
Lone Star Sports & Entertainment (LSSE) is an independent event management company which is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since being founded in 2003, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to the Texas Bowl, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including the 2010 MLS All-Star Game featuring Manchester United, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, and the 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cups. LSSE has also reinvigorated the “Battle of the Piney Woods” rivalry between Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State and has promoted a pair of major concerts featuring country superstars George Strait and Kenny Chesney.